Henry our little man.

Dear little man! We are so blessed you have joined our family.

As we see Duncan and Julia graduate year 10 today it is timely to look back, oh how fast the previous 16 years have flown by. From little munchkins just as Henry is now, to wonderful self-possessed young adults in the mere blink of an eye. We all say it, how time flies, my dear friend, Christina, would tell me to live in the moment. Yes, live in the moment, breathe it in and totally absorb each and every minute, it is as precious as gold and slips through our hands just as fast. But I wouldn't change a thing!

Counting down to Christmas.

Look out family here we come.

Hey what a group of great looking folk!

The past 12 months have held challenges that we, as a family, have not faced before. I'm so proud of Sam and Lu. Their strength is inspirational. Well done guys.
Rob and Kara, what a great couple. Baby # 2 on her way in January. Perfect way to start the new year.
So proud of the 4 of you.
Can't wait to be with you for Christmas.

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Who was hoping for a wet soggy Christmas in Sydney this year? Not us, but it seems that is what the whole eastern seaboard of Aust will be experiencing this holiday season. A welcome change from drought conditions, all the locals say. Still the weather is warming up, a little muggy infact.

I admit we do miss the build up to Christmas that only a northern hemisphere Christmas can give you. Snowfalls, frost, bare trees, chilly air, hot apple cider, the welcoming smell of cinnamon, gingerbread latte, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the magical nightly snowfall on Bellevue streets.

Yes there is the commercial side to Christmas that we all loath, but I will always remember fondly the giving back that we experienced. Businesses, corporations, individuals all joined in in the celebration of the Holiday Season, that was very special. There certainly isn't the extended build up here in Aust, understandable given the season variation, but we miss it all the same.

Looking forward, we are counting sleeps till we are in Tas and Christmas with our boys and their families. Then off to New Zealand for Clark Family time. New school year starts Jan 31st, that will come around very quickly.